The daily business briefing: September 26, 2016
Debate expectations weigh on global markets, Rolling Stone brings in its first outside investor, and more
1. Pre-debate jitters weigh down global stocks
Global stocks slipped on Monday as investors awaited the first presidential debate between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. Analysts expect Monday's debate, the first of three before the November election, to set television audience records, and possibly have an unusually large impact on the vote. One analyst said a strong performance by the unpredictable Trump could spark "a rally in safe haven assets." With polls showing a tight race, "the market may react to a perceived shift in momentum," said Randy Frederick, managing director of trading and derivatives at Schwab Center for Financial Research.
2. Rolling Stone sells 49 percent stake to outside investor
Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner is selling a 49 percent stake in the magazine to a Singapore-based digital music startup, BandLab, owned by Kuok Meng Ru, the 28-year-old son of palm oil billionaire Kuok Khoon Hong. The deal marks the first time in 50 years that Wenner has brought in an outside investor. The iconic music magazine, like other one-time publishing powerhouses, has lost advertising and readers to online competitors, and Wenner reportedly plans to sell the biggest stake possible without losing control of his company, which also owns Us Weekly and Men’s Journal.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
3. Oil prices firm up ahead of oil producer meeting
Oil prices edged higher early Monday as representatives of the world's leading oil-producing countries gathered in Algeria for talks on limiting output to ease a global glut. Prices dropped by nearly five percent last week due to signs that Saudi Arabia had made little progress on reaching a deal with Iran to freeze production. Algerian energy minister Noureddine Bouterfa vowed Sunday not to "come out of the meeting empty-handed."
4. British executives consider moves over Brexit
A majority of CEOs in Britain have considered moving at least some of their business out of the U.K. over concerns about the country's exit from the European Union, according to research by KPMG. Three-quarters of the 100 executives interviewed by the professional service company said they would consider relocating their headquarters or some other part of their operations. "We hear it time and time again that business needs certainty," said Simon Collins, KPMG's U.K. chairman.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
5. Millions rise out of poverty as employers add jobs, raise pay
About 3.5 million Americans lifted their incomes above the poverty line last year, according to newly released census data. The change came as employers — especially retailers, restaurants, and hotels — hired more workers and increased wages, both to attract workers and to meet higher minimum wages in some areas. "It all came together at the same time," said independent business economist Diane Swonk. "Lots of employment and wages gains, particularly in the lowest-paying end of the jobs spectrum, combined with minimum-wage increases that started to hit some very large population areas."
Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.
-
Testosterone therapy in women highlights the lack of women’s health researchThe explainer There is no FDA-approved testosterone product for women
-
Magazine solutions - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025
-
Magazine printables - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
